Better surface temperature calibrations

Calibrating sensors for surface temperature is simple in theory. The sensor to be calibrated is placed against a heated plate with a known and uniform surface temperature, and the sensor readings are then compared to the plate temperature. The National Laboratory for Temperature at RISE operates a surface temperature calibrator that is widely used for calibrations from room temperature up to 600 degrees.

Older model

The existing equipment is of an older model and the international comparisons in which the National Laboratory has participated show the need for improved equipment. The measurement uncertainty is relatively high, over three degrees at the highest temperatures. There are also requests for calibrations at higher temperatures than the existing equipment can handle.

Halved measurement uncertainty

The project will update the equipment at the National Laboratory so that it reaches a level that corresponds to that at the national metrology institutes that are at the forefront when it comes to surface temperature calibration. The new equipment will be able to operate at a higher temperature than today with a halved measurement uncertainty. In addition to meeting the need for calibration in industry and society in a better way, it will also bring more opportunities to participate in future research projects and comparison studies.